At just 25 years old, Corley Hodde is living proof that determination, guidance, and the right support can make the dream of homeownership a reality.
Born and raised in Central Texas, Corley grew up with congenital heart disease, an experience that inspired him to pursue a career in pediatric cardiac ultrasound. After earning his associate’s degree, he joined Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, where he has been serving patients for the past two and a half years. Like many young professionals, he began his adult life in a third-floor apartment, but he hoped for a place to truly call his own.
Overcoming the Barriers
For Corley, the biggest obstacle to homeownership was saving for a down payment and building a cushion for unexpected expenses. “Just because a home may look move-in ready doesn’t mean that it is,” he said. “You’ve always got to set money aside to fix things or spruce things up.”
NeighborWorks Waco stepped in to bridge the gap. With their help, Corley accessed grant assistance for his down payment and learned what it really takes to purchase a home. He also attended the Homebuyer Education Workshop, which opened his eyes to the financial realities of buying a house. “They put everything in layman’s terms,” he explained. “They made things about as streamlined and simple as possible, and that’s not an easy thing to do with the homebuying process.”
NeighborWorks Waco provides this kind of support to clients of all income levels. As a full-service mortgage broker, the organization helps buyers understand what they can afford, guides them in preparing their finances, and connects them with resources to make homeownership possible.
With guidance from NeighborWorks Waco, Corley better understood how different price points affected his monthly mortgage payment, and his Realtor was able to negotiate for the sellers to cover closing costs. From moving expenses to setting up utilities, every detail was considered to make the transition into homeownership as smooth as possible.
Settling In
Today, Corley is adjusting to life in his new three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. His dining room and kitchen together are larger than his previous apartment, and the shift from city living to the suburbs feels both surreal and exciting. “It feels like a miracle to have a house at my age,” he said. “I feel like an adult now. It’s really been a blessing.”
For now, he’s content sleeping on his full-size bed in a spare room until he saves enough for a new bed for the primary bedroom. “I don’t want to dip into my savings,” he said, showing the same financial discipline that got him here.
Advice for Others
When asked what advice he would give to others hoping to buy a home, Corley didn’t hesitate. “I tell everyone that is even thinking about buying a home to go through NeighborWorks Waco. You don’t know what kind of help might be out there for you.”
He encourages future homebuyers to attend the Homebuyer Education Workshop and to work on paying off debt before beginning the process. “My dad used to always say, ‘people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan,’” Corley shared. “Work with the folks at NeighborWorks Waco to build a solid plan and follow it. Anything that is worth doing is worth doing right.”
A NeighborWorks Waco Success Story
Corley’s story reflects the mission of NeighborWorks Waco: empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to achieve sustainable homeownership. His journey is a reminder that with the right resources, education, and support, the dream of homeownership is within reach, even at just 25 years old.
